Drop-out Rates in Junior Colleges and Pre-university Centres

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim asked the Minister for Education (a) over the last five years, what is the number of students who dropped out from Junior Colleges and Millennia Institute while undertaking their courses; and (b) where did the students go upon leaving the Junior Colleges or Millennia Institute.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: About 7% of the students admitted into Junior Colleges (JCs) and Millennia Institute (MI) from 2005 to 2009 left their respective institutions before completing their courses. This is about 1,200 students per year.

Within this group, the large majority chose to pursue their education in the Polytechnics instead. The remaining withdrew primarily because of relocation overseas, or to continue their education at other private education institutions.

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